Folding bed.



Patented lan. 30, |900.

No. 642m.

T. HAUSER.

FOLDING BED.

(Application led Feb. 9, 1899.)

2 Sheets-Sheet l. N e

ums PETERS ou. moron-mo.. wAsHmaTou u l.

Patented 1an. 30, 1900.

No. 642m.

T. HAUSER.

FOLDING BED.

(Application led Feb. 9, 1899.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

THEODORE IIAUSER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FOLDING BED.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 642,116, dated January 30, 1900. Application filed February 9, 1899. Serial No. 705,034. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that l, THEODORE HAUSER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago,in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Beds, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specifica tion.

Uy invention relates more particularly to that class of folding beds constructed of metal, and especially to that class that fold in a number of places transversely of their length and stand when folded in an upright position against the head member, and thus constitute what is usually termed a mantelbed, a folding canopy portion or shelf carrying a draw-curtain being let down over and around the bed in its folded condition to couceal its identity.

One of the important objects of my invention is to iix the mattress-wire directly and permanently to the head member of the bedstead, so as to avoid all sliding connections, which are objectionable not only because of expense of construction, but being required to be oiled soil the bedclothing.

Another object of my invention is to produce what is known as a soft edge to the mattress throughout a greater length of the bed and by a simpler and more efficient construction than heretofore accomplished.

A further object of my invention is to reduce the number of folding joints along the side of the bed, whereby the cost of production and liability to get out of order will be reduced to the minimum.

A still further object of my invention is to avoid the liability of the front of the bed be ing tipped upward when the weight is placed near the head member, which is a result often due to the presence of a hinged joint in the side rail at a point between the headposts and the intermediate legs depending upon such joint forthe support of the entire upper end of the mattress.

With these ends in view my invention consists in certain features of novelty in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts by which the said objects and certain other objects hereinafter appearing are attained, all as fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the said drawings, Figure lis a vertical longitudinal sectional View of my improved folding bed, showing the bed open. Fig. 2 is a plan view of one side thereof, also showing the bed open. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view showing the bed closed. Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of one end of the canopy. Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the curtain-rail; and Fig. G is an enlarged transverse sectional view of one footpost of the bed, showing a part of the bracket for supporting the foot extension.

The head member of the bed is designed to stand normally, and in fact permanently, in an upright position, and it may be constructed of a pair of standards l, composed, if desired, of angle-irons connected together by a crossbar or angle-iron 2 at or near their lowerends, and which cross-bar 2 may also constitute means for the direct attachment of the Inattress 17 to the head member of the bed. The standards l are connected at or near their upper ends by cross-bars 3 t, the standards l below the bar 2 constituting the head-posts of the bedstead.

5 represents the intermediate legs, which are also preferably composed of angle-irons. These legs 5 are connected to the head member 'or to the head-posts by any suitable means that will make them rigid therewith. I have shown'their upper ends secured to horizontal bars 6, which are also riveted or other- Wise attached to the standards l and rendered rigid by braces 7. Ata lower point the legs 5 are connected to the standards l by rods 8. By thus giving the legs 5 two points of connection with the standards 1,1espectively, and employing the braces 7 the legs 5 are rendered rigid 'with reference to such standards, and a strong rigid frame at the head of the bed is thereby constituted.

9 represents the foot-posts, which may also be composed of angle-irons and which are pivoted at l0 to the lower end of the side rails l1, respectively, the latter, if desired, being also constructed of angle-iron and supporting the slats 12, upon which the mattress-springs 13 are mounted, as usual. The side rails ll at or near their upper ends are pivoted at la IOO to the upper ends of the intermediate legs 5 in such manner that the side rails may be folded or stood up in a vertical position lengthwise of the legs 5, and such side rails are each provided with a projection 15, which extends beyond the pivot 14 toward the standards 1 of the head member, the upper extremities of the extensions 15 being connected together by a cross-bar 16 and one or more of the slats 12 being located on the extensions 15 forsupporting the springs 13. When the bed is folded up, the side rails 11 stand up lengthwise of the legs 5 and the extensions 15 fold within the corners formed by the angle-irons of which the legs V5 are constructed. The side rails 11 and their extensions 15 are of course located between the side bars 6, so as to fold downwardly without interference and carry some of the springs and the mattress-wire 17 downwardly with them in the manner indicated in Fig. 3, forming ample space for the pillows and other bedclothing. In order to guard against the possibility of upward movement of the extensions 15 by undue pressure brought to bear on the foot extension of the bed, I provide each of the extensions 15 with a lip 18, which engages under a stop formed on the inner side of each of the side bars 6. These stops may be conveniently composed of angle-.bars 19, secured to the inner sides of the bars 6, and thus also strengthening the latter bars. i

The lower ends of the side rails 11 are turned upwardly above their pivots 10 to form angular extensions 20, to the upper ends of which are pivoted bars 21, which may be considered a continuation of the side rails of the bed and which serve for the attachment and support of the lower end of the mattress-wire 17. They also serve for the support of an ornamental footboard 22, if desired. The bars 21 are so constructed and arranged with reference to the mattress 17 that their pivots 23 will be above the line of strain between the two ends of the mattress, thus avoiding pulling the foot extension of the bed upwardly when weight is placed on the mattress. The pivoted bars 2l are held against downward movement by suitable brackets 211, secured to the under side of the bars 21 and having tenons 25, which pass through suitable perforations formed in an extension 26 on the upper ends of the posts 9 and in the angular extensions 20 of the side rails 11. It will also be seen that but for the brackets 24 any considerable weight placed over the extension 15 would lift the foot of the bed. These brackets 24 prevent this by being secured to the f side-rail extensions 20 and bearing against the extensions 26 of the foot-posts 9,and thereby holding the extensions 2O 26 together, it being understood that in order to fold up the bed the extension 2O must incline away from the extension 26 in a direction toward the head of the bed. When it is desired to fold the bed up, however, it is simplynecessary to lift upwardly on the outer ends of the extensions 21, which causes the disengagement of the tenons 25 from their said sockets, whereupon further lifting movement will raise the side rails on their pivots 14 into an upright position, the posts 9 being in the meanwhile drawn downwardly and arranged parallel with the rails 11 and in an upright position by the pivoted side bars 27, pivoted to the legs 5 and posts 9, respectively. When the side rails 11 arrive at a vertical position,

as shown in Fig. 3, the bars 21 will have straightened out lengthwise of the extensions 2O into a horizontal position and the legs 5, rails 11, and posts 9 will be in vertical alinement, thus forming a rectangular space of ample capacity for the bedclothing. The extensions 26 on the posts 9, however, project above the angular extensions 2O to form supports for the outer edge of the canopy which covers the top of the bed when in a folded condition and constitutes a shelf or mantel, and which I will now describe. This canopy consists, preferably, of two boards or members 28 29, hinged together at 30 and being of sufficient dimensions when in a horizontal position to cover the entire top of the folded bed. The board 28 is hinged by the bar 3 to the standards 1, so that it may be stood in an upright position, as shown in Fig. 1, and itis of sufficient width to hold the other hoard 29 up out of the way when the bed is in use. In order that the board 28 may be thus held up out of the way, l provide the head of the bed with a catch 31, which when the board 28 is thrown back against the head of the bed passes through an opening 32 in the board 28, and in doing so lifts a latch 33, which engages with the catch 31 and holds the board back in place. This movement of the board 28 brings the board 29 into ahorizontal position resting upon one or more brackets 34, secured to one of the boards and adapted to come against them at the point where they are hinged together. The outer edges of the boards 28 29 are provided with a flange-rail 35, with which are engaged a number of slides 36, having irons 37 for supporting the drawcurtain 38. The rails 35 are of course severed at the point of intersection of the boards, so that the boards may fold as described.

' With a bed thus constructed it will be seen that the entire upper portion of the mattress above the foot-posts 9 is what is termed a soft edge, all rigid or non-elastic parts being far belowit and the mattress absolutely free from contact with any unyielding portions likely to cause injury or discomfort. It will also be noted that by attaching the upper end of the mattress direct to the head member of the bed I avoid the necessity for sliding connections or joints heretofore employed for' this purpose and, furthermore, avoid the liability of causing the foot of the bed to tilt upwardly when the weight is placed between the intermediate legs 5 and the head member or head-posts of the bed, inasmuch as the mattress does not depend for its en- IOO IOS

tire support at its upper end upon the extensions 15 of the side rails, and the weight brought upon these extensions, which are short as compared with the entire length of the side rails, and the weight at the foot of the bed, are insufficient to raise the foot of the bed.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters latent, is-

l. A folding bed having in combination a head member, intermediate legs, foot-posts, a rigid connection between said head member and intermediate legs, side rails hinged to said intermediate legs and foot-posts and a mattress secured to said head member and supported on said side rails, said side rails having horizontal projections extending beyond said intermediate legs toward said head member and being each provided with a lip and fixed stops on said rigid connections and under which said lips engage for preventing upward deflection of said extensions, substantially as set forth.

A folding bed having in combination a head member, a canopy hinged thereto and composed of two hinged members, a flangerail extending around the outer edges of said hinged members and being intersected by the hinge thereof, slides engaging with said rail and having means for supporting a curtain, substantially as set forth.

3. A folding bed having in combination a head member, the foot-posts, intermediate legs arranged between the footposts and head member and being rigidly connected to said head member, side rails pivoted to said foot-posts and intermediate legs, the bars 27 also pivoted to said intermediate legs and foot-posts, means for locking the foot-posts and side rails from turning on their pivotal connection and a mattress fixed at its upper end and supported upon said side rails, sub stantially as set forth.

d. A folding bed having in combination a head member, foot-posts, intermediate legs rigidly secured to said head member, side rails pivoted to said intermediate legs and foot-posts, the bars 27 pivoted to said intermediate legs and foot-posts, a hinged foot extension projected from and supported upon the side rails, a mattress fixed at its upper end and being attached to said hinged extension and a bracket or connection between said hinged extension and the foot-posts for preventing the foot-posts from turning on their pivotal connection with the side rails,

.substantially as set forth.

5. A folding bed having in combination a head member, foot-posts, intermediate legs rigidly secured to the head mem ber, side rails pivoted to said intermediate legs and to said foot-posts and having extensions extending above said foot-posts, a foot extension pivoted to said first extensions, a mattress fixed at itsupper end and secured to said foot extension and a bracket-bearing between said foot extension and foot-post for holding said first extension and foot-post together,sub'

stantially as set forth.

6. A folding bed having in combination a head member, foot-posts, intermediate .legs rigidly secured to said headmember, side rails pivoted to said intermediate legs and to said foot-posts, and having upright extensions at their lower ends, said foot-posts being provided with extensions 26 adjacent to said npright extensions, foot extensions hinged to said upright extensions, a mattress secured at its upper end and also to said foot extension at its lower end and a bracket attached to said foot extension, and bearing against the foot-post for supporting the foot extension and preventing the foot-posts from turning on their pivotal connection with the side rails, substantially as set forth.

7. A folding bed having in combination a head member, foot-posts, intermediate legs, a rigid connection between said head member and intermediate legs, side rails pivoted to said foot-posts and intermediate legs and being provided at their lower ends with vertical extensions extending above said rigid connection and all rigid parts of the side rails and intermediate legs, a hinged foot extension supported by said vertical extensions and a mattress secured at its lower end to said hinged foot extension and extending directly to the head member and being secured thereto at its upper end whereby the bed will possess a soft edge from the head member to the footposts, substantially as set forth.

8. A folding bed having in combination a head member, a canopy hinged to said head member and adapted to fold forwardly from said hinge over the bed, said canopy being composed of two hinged members adapted to break joint upwardly and means for holding one of said members upright and the other horizontal, substantially as set forth.

9. A folding bed having in combination a head member, a canopy hinged thereto and adapted to fold forwardly from its said hinge over the bed and bein g'composed of two hinged members adapted to break joint upwardly, a catch secured to the head member for holding one of said hinged members in a vertical position back against the head member and a bracket secured to one of said hinged members and bearing against the other for holding one of the hinged members in a horizontal position while the other is vertical substantially as set forth.

10. A folding bed having in combination a head member, the foot-posts, the intermediate legs rigidly s ecured to said head member, the side rails having the extensions 20, hinged to said intermediate legs and to said footposts and the foot-posts being provided with the extensions 26 above the pivotal point of the side rails, the hinged extensions 21 secured to the extensions 20, a mattress secured to the head member and to said extensions 2l, a canopy hinged to the head member and IOO IIO

adapted to fold down forwardly over the bed and to rest upon the extensions 26 and the brackets 24 secured to the extensions 21 and adapted to rest under and support said canopy at an intermediate point, substantially as set forth.

ll. A folding bed having in combination a head member, foot-posts, intermediate legs rigidly secured to the head member, side rails pivoted to said intermediate legs and to said foot-posts and having extensions extending above said foot-posts, a foot extension pivoted to said first extension, a mattress fixed at its upper end and secured to said foot extension and brackets secured to the under side of said foot extension and having tenons THEODORE HAUSER.

Witnesses: l

EDNA B. JOHNSON, F. A. HOPKINS. 

